“Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor is about to burst into Sunday nights — and make the end of the weekend so much more exciting.

“Get everybody’s homework done, sort out your Monday clothes, then grab some special Sunday night popcorn, and settle down with all of the family for Sunday night adventures across space and time. (Also, move the sofa away from the wall so parents can hide behind it during the scary bits). The Thirteenth Doctor is falling from the sky and it’s going to be a blast.”

Given the start date, the series 11 finale will probably air on Sunday 9th December, meaning there’s only a short wait before the festive special on New Year’s Day (see below).

At the moment the BBC is keeping its cards close to its chest about the series’ final episode, which is called The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos and guest stars Downton Abbey’s Phyllis Logan, Game of Thrones’ Mark Addy and Percelle Ascott.

The official synopsis for the series finale reads:

On the planet of Ranskoor Av Kolos, lies the remains of a brutal battlefield. But as the Doctor, Graham, Yaz and Ryan answer nine separate distress calls, they discover the planet holds far more secrets. Who is the mysterious commander with no memory? What lies beyond the mists? Who or what are the Ux?

“We’re thrilled to be starting the New Year with a bang on BBC1, as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends face a terrifying alien threat in an action-packed, hour-long special adventure for all the family,” showrunner Chris Chibnall said in a statement, confirming that the special will air on Tuesday, January 1st 2019 instead of Christmas Day.

“We’re delighted the Doctor and her companions will be welcoming BBC1 audiences into 2019 with this exciting new episode,” Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, added.

“The Doctor’s fans are in for a special treat on the first day of the new year.”

At the moment details about the special (including its title) are limited, but we do have the below plot synopsis to tease what we can expect…

As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring, from across the centuries of Earth’s history. As the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth?

Built around a golden nest of time crystals with endless, shifting walls, it’s a far more alien look than we saw during the year’s of Whittaker’s predecessor Peter Capaldi. Even the doors of the Tardis have had a rethink, with the blue police box exterior (which has had some minor cosmetic alterations) extending a little further into the control room in the new design.

Just a couple of months before series 11’s airing it was finally revealed which writers were working on the series alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall, with acclaimed author Malorie Blackman (best known for novels like Nought and Crosses and Pig Heart Boy) probably the best-known name among them.

She’s joined by Skins writer Ed Hime, Doctors and Casualty writer/playwright Joy Wilkinson, Murdered by My Father writer Vinay Patel and experienced screenwriter Pete McTighe, who is probably best known for being the “originating writer” on popular Australian drama Wentworth.

“We have a team of writers who’ve been working quietly and secretly for a long time now, crafting characters, worlds and stories to excite and move you,” showrunner Chris Chibnall said in a release.

“Hailing from a range of backgrounds, tastes and styles, here’s what unites them: they are awesome people as well as brilliant at their job. (It matters!) They love Doctor Who. And they’ve all worked above and beyond the call of duty in an effort to bring audiences something special, later this year.”

Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall is taking over the series from ex-Head Writer Steven Moffat, having previously written several episodes including The Power of Three, Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, 42 and Silurian two-parter The Hungry Earth/ Cold Blood. He was also the de facto Head Writer during the first two series of Who spin-off Torchwood, writing episodes including Day One, Cyberwoman, Countrycide, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and Exit Wounds.

It is assumed that Chibnall will write five episodes for the new series, while the newly-announced series 11 writers (none of whom have worked on the sci-fi series before) will make up the other five. So far, we know that Blackman wrote the series third episode with Chibnall, Patel wrote the series’ sixth episode and that Wilkinson wrote another set to air later in the series.

Is Doctor Who still filming?

At time of writing, no – series 11 wrapped in early August, around 10 months after it first began in late October 2017. It’s believed that filming for a Christmas special took place during that time also.

Is there a trailer for the new series?

Yes – there are three. A special teaser trailer was aired during the 2018 World Cup final that introduced the new Doctor and her companions, with footage showing the Time Lord’s influence (depicted as golden regeneration energy) invigorating and changing her Tardis team’s lives before Whittaker herself emerged with a smile.

You can watch the teaser (which doesn’t contain footage from the series) above – and keep an eye out for that Beano Easter Egg…

And now two full trailers for the series have debuted as well, showing off Whittaker and her Tardis team in action. Check them out now!

Is there a new sonic screwdriver?

Jodie Whittaker in a Doctor Who series 11 poster (BBC)

There is, and it looks very different. Created by series designer Arwel Jones, the new screwdriver has a more traditionally sci-fi look than some recent versions, and appears to have been made from scratch by Whittaker’s Doctor.

The new incarnation of the gadget has a curved handle that’s slightly separate from the main screwdriver, containing stripped lights to match the LED light on the end. It’s coloured silver with dark cracks through it, and fits neatly in Whittaker’s hand.

The toy version of Whittaker’s sonic screwdriver (BBC)

In another interesting change, the light on the new screwdriver is an orange-y colour – different from the lighter blues and greens of more recent versions of the gadget, though other colours have appeared in the series’ run – while the LED itself appears more organic and crystalline, coming from the alien technology the Doctor uses to build the device in the series’ first episode.

“It’s a privilege to have been asked to redesign the iconic sonic screwdriver for the Thirteenth Doctor and a new generation of audiences,” designer Arwel Jones said in a release.

Who plays the Doctor?

It seems unlikely you don’t already know this if you’re reading this article but just in case: Jodie Whittaker is the current and Thirteenth incarnation of time-travelling face-changing alien the Doctor, with Whittaker making history as the first female actor to play the role.

“The pressure on any actor coming into the role – man or woman – is huge because they’re big boots to fill,” Whittaker told Radio Times. “And for me there’s been 12 pairs of boots.

“Obviously for Whovians this time the change has taken a very different direction than it has before. In a way, though, there is liberation in that new direction: the pressure is less for me because I can only do this my way.”

Which actors play Graham, Yaz and Ryan in the new Doctor Who series?

Mandip Gill, Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole in Doctor Who series 11 (BBC)

Last year it was revealed that Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor has a lot of new faces joining her on her new adventures, with long-rumoured companion Bradley Walsh joining the cast of Doctor Who in the role of Graham and newcomers Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill also enlisting in the Tardis crew as Ryan and Yasmin.

“The new Doctor is going to need new friends,” showrunner Chris Chibnall said in a statement. We’re thrilled to welcome Mandip, Tosin and Bradley to the Doctor Who family. They’re three of Britain’s brightest talents and we can’t wait to see them dive into brand new adventures with Jodie’s Doctor.

Bradley Walsh added: “I remember watching William Hartnell as the first Doctor. Black and white made it very scary for a youngster like myself. I was petrified but even though I’d watch most of it from behind the sofa through my fingers, I became a fan. I then queued up for ages to get into the Carlton picture house in Watford to watch the great Peter Cushing appear as the Doctor in a full length feature film made in glorious colour. Am I thrilled to be part of this whole ground breaking new dawn for the Doctor?? Oh yes!”

Mandip Gill said: “I am over the moon to be joining the Doctor Who family. This is an iconic show with an amazing fanbase and I look forward to everything that brings. Certain roles seem unattainable and this is one of those, so much so I didn’t believe it to be true for the first few weeks. To be working alongside the likes of Jodie, Bradley and my old friend Tosin is thrilling. This show is worlds away from the work I’ve done previously and that’s the part that excites me the most.”

Tosin Cole said: “I’m grateful and excited to be a part of this journey with the team. I’m looking forward to jumping in this Doctor Who universe.”

What is the new Doctor Who logo?

A brand new logo for series 11 was unveiled by Whittaker at a BBC Worldwide showcase earlier this year, alongside a smaller “insignia” for the series. A brilliant orange gold, the new logo is certainly a contrast to what’s come before and includes an intriguing stylised streak, striking through the opening “D” before re-emerging through the “H” and “O”.

At first glance the line seems to allude to the series’ time travel roots (a literal timeline?) while also looking a little like a shooting star. Or maybe that trail is instead left by the Tardis itself, as suggested by a newly-released animation with music from British musician and sound artist Matthew Herbert. The video features the Doctor’s time travel capsule bursting through a crystalline debris field to illuminate the new lettering.

The new logo was produced by creative agency Little Hawk, working closely with showrunner Chris Chibnall and executive producer Matt Strevens. The team also created a special “insignia” for the new series – check it out below.

“Our aim was to create modern and elegant designs that were anchored in the things that we love most about Doctor Who.”

All official Doctor Who merchandise featuring the new logo will be available at selected retailers from 20th February 2018.

How many episodes are there in the new Doctor Who series?

Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who series 11 (BBC, HF)

It’s been confirmed that Doctor Who series 11 will have 10 episodes plus a Christmas special, marking a slight reduction from the 12-or-13 episode seasons fans have become used to (though more episodes in a year than we got during some of Matt Smith’s Doctor Who tenure).

How long are the new Doctor Who episodes?

Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor in Doctor Who series 11 (BBC, HF)

The first episode of series 11 was 60 minutes long, while the subsequent adventures will take place over 50-minute instalments.

This is slightly longer than the usual 45-minute episodes Doctor Who has favoured since the series returned in 2005, so despite the shorter number of episodes in some ways we’re getting more Who than ever this year.

A far cry from the black hoody seen in Whittaker’s announcement video, the outfit is a typically colourful and eccentric look for the Doctor – and it’s chock-full of references and callbacks to previous Doctors, as we explain in more detail here.

What does the new series look like?

Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who series 11 (BBC, HF)

Apparently series 11 will be the most cinematic era of Doctor Who yet – at least when it comes to the cameras. According to trade magazine Broadcast, the production is being supplied with brand-new cameras and lenses which will give Doctor Who a razzle-dazzle upgrade.

To get technical for a moment, production house Films at 59, which supplies the BBC’s Doctor Who studios in Roath Lock in Cardiff, is using Cooke anamorphic Prime lenses and Angenieux Optimo anamorphic zooms that will be used with Arri Alexa XT and Alex Mini cameras for series 11.

The intention is to bring an increased cinematic look to the show which started production at the end of October – and according to Bristol-based Films at 59’s Dave Wride, this means a whole new visual feel to the show.

“The BBC have made a monumental leap here to enhance the look of Doctor Who and I’m sure the fans will not be disappointed with the distinctly cinematic results that this lens and camera combo will afford them,” he said.

Tags

Sign up to the Radio Times newsletter for the latest TV and entertainment news

Thanks!

Email Address

By clicking “sign up” you are agreeing to our terms and conditions. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how to do this, and how Immediate Media Company Limited (publisher of Radio Times) holds your personal information, please see our privacy policy.